Breiner / Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra National Anthems Of The World: 2013 Edition CD

From time to time, the general idea gains currency that national anthems are nowadays an anachronism. According to the critics' arguments, these anthems were the product of a period of awakening nationalism. Today, however, there is wide endeavour to overcome narrow, national ways of thinking and acting, with the great aim of promoting the peaceful community and union of nations, to realize which should be the first principle for politicians all over the world. Criticism of this kind may surely be justified, considered from the standpoint of those seeking a United Europe. On the other hand we must not underestimate the sanctity accorded national anthems, carefully guarded symbols which enjoy the same respect and protection as national flags. They express love of the fatherland, pride in the native country, and trust in the nation. This is the reason for the sincerity with which people regard and sing their own national anthem, and the respect accorded to the anthems of other peoples. The solemn, dignified start and close of each official meeting between peoples divided by national borders is provided by national anthems. Yet when before have meetings between representatives of different nations been as frequent as today? Peoples meet at sporting events, at international youth gatherings, or at political conferences, heads of the states and delegations are received, cultural weeks and festivals are celebrated, and on such occasions the national anthems surely contribute to the understanding of other peoples, as well as offering the occasion for personal contact among individuals. Nothing, then, is more important in our time than mutual understanding, since misunderstandings and prejudices have in the past brought so much disaster to the nations of the world. Since publication of the CD-set Complete National Anthems of the World, Vols. 1-6 (Marco Polo 8.206001) in 1998, the following independent states have introduced new national anthems, restored from former anthems of the earlier history of their respective countries: Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cape Verde, Congo-Kinshasa (formerly Zaire), Georgia, Iraq, Mozambique, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Somalia and Turkmenistan. It has therefore been necessary to produce a complete new set to replace the previous series. In addition to the national anthem of the newly independent state of East Timor, the Grand Ducal Hymn of Luxembourg and the Swedish Royal Song, the previous set furthermore included many state hymns of autonomous dependencies, overseas territories, other regional administrative bodies and ethnic groups, as well as the hymns of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, the United Nations Organization, the European Union and the International Olympic Committee. The anthems are performed by the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Bratislava under the conductor Peter Breiner (born 1957), who has arranged and orchestrated all the anthems with great sensitivity. It is a highly successful undertaking which will arouse the enthusiasm of music collectors, ethnologists, heads of protocol and sports promoters.

1. Abkhazia [Aiaaira (Victory)] 2. Acadia [Ave, Maris Stella (Hail, Star of the Sea), 'Acadia, My Homeland...'] 3. Afghanistan [Milli Surood (National Anthem), 'This Land Is Afghanistan...'] (2006 Onwards) 4. Afghanistan [Milli Surood (National Anthem), 'This Land Is Afghanistan...'] (2006 Onwards) (Short) 5. Afghanistan ['Fortress of Islam, Heart of Asia...'] (1992 - 2006) 6. Afghanistan ['Fortress of Islam, Heart of Asia...'] (1992 - 2006) (Short) 7. Afghanistan ['Become Hot, Become Hot, You, the Holy Sun...'] (1978 - 1992) 8. African Union [Let Us All Unite and Celebrate Together] 9. Aland Islands [Alanningens Sang (Song of the Alanders), 'Land of Thousand Isles and Archipelagos...'] 10. Albania [Hymni I Flamurit (Hymn to the Flag), 'The Flag Which in Battle Unites Us...'] 11. Algeria ['We Swear By the Lightning That Destroys...'] 12. Algeria ['We Swear By the Lightning That Destroys...'] (Olympic Version) 13. Algeria ['We Swear By the Lightning That Destroys...'] (Short) 14. American Samoa ['America Samoa, My Dear Beloved Land...'] 15. American Samoa ['America Samoa, My Dear Beloved Land...'] (Olympic Version) 16. American Virgin Islands [Virgin Islands March, 'All Hail Our Virgin Islands...'] 17. American Virgin Islands [Virgin Islands March, 'All Hail Our Virgin Islands...'] (Olympic Version) 18. American Virgin Islands [Virgin Islands March, 'All Hail Our Virgin Islands...'] (Short) 19. Andorra [Himne Andorra (Andorra Hymn), 'The Great Charlemagne, My Father...'] 20. Andorra [Himne Andorra (Andorra Hymn), 'The Great Charlemagne, My Father...'] (Olympic Version) 21. Angola ['O Fatherland, We Shall Never Forget the Heroes of the Fourth of February...'] 22. Anguilla [National Song, 'God Bless Anguilla Nurture...'] 23. Antigua and Barbuda ['Fair Antigua, We Salute Thee!...'] 24. Argentina [Himno Nacional Argentino (Argentine National Anthem), 'Mortals! Hear the Sacred Cry...'] 25. Argentina [Himno Nacional Argentino (Argentine National Anthem), 'Mortals! Hear the Sacred Cry...'] (Short) 26. Armenia [Mer Hayrenik (Our Fatherland), 'Land of Our Fathers, Free, Independent...'] 27. Aruba [Aruba Deshi Tera (Aruba Precious Country), 'Aruba, Beloved Home...'] 28. Australia [Advance Australia Fair, 'Australians All, Let Us Rejoice...'] 29. Australia [Advance Australia Fair, 'Australians All, Let Us Rejoice...'] (Olympic Version) 30. Australia [God Save the Queen, 'God Save Our Gracious Queen...'] (Royal) 31. Austria [Osterreichische Bundeshymne (Austrian Federal Hymn), 'Land of Mountains...'] 32. Austria [Osterreichische Bundeshymne (Austrian Federal Hymn), 'Land of Mountains...'] (Olympic Version) 33. Azerbaijan [Azerbaijan Marzi (Azerbaijan March), 'Azerbaijan! Azerbaijan!...'] 34. Azerbaijan [Azerbaijan Marzi (Azerbaijan March), 'Azerbaijan! Azerbaijan!...'] (Olympic Version) 35. Azores [Hino Regional Dos Acores (Regional Hymn of the Azores, 'Faith and Firmness Gave Birth...'] 36. Bahamas [March on, Bahamaland, 'Lift Up Your Head to the Rising Sun...'] 37. Bahamas [March on, Bahamaland, 'Lift Up Your Head to the Rising Sun...'] (Olympic Version) 38. Bahrain ['Our Bahrain, Country of Security...'] 39. Bangladesh ['My Bengal of Gold, I Love You...'] 40. Barbados [Barbados National Anthem, 'In Plenty and in Time of Need...'] 41. Barbados [Barbados National Anthem, 'In Plenty and in Time of Need...'] (Olympic Version) 42. Barbados [God Save the Queen, 'God Save Our Gracious Queen...'] (Royal) 43. Bashkortostan [Basgortostan Respublikahynyn Dawlat Himny (National Anthem of the Republic of Bashkortostan)] 44. Basque Country [Eusko Abendaren Ereserkia (Anthem of the Basque Ethnicity), 'Up and Up...'] 45. Bavaria [Bayernhymne (Bavarian's Hymn), 'God with You, Oh Land of Bavarians...'] 46. Belarus [Dziarzauny Himn Respubliki Bielarus (State Anthem of the Republic of Belarus), 'We Are the Belarussians...'] 47. Belarus [Dziarzauny Himn Respubliki Bielarus (State Anthem of the Republic of Belarus), 'We Are the Belarussians...'] (Olympic Version) 48. Belgium [La Brabanconne (The Song of Brabant), 'Noble Belgium, for Ever a Dear Land...'] 49. Belize [Land of the Free, 'O Land of the Free By the Carib Sea...'] 50. Belize [Land of the Free, 'O Land of the Free By the Carib Sea...'] (Olympic Version) 51. Benin [L'aube Nouvelle (The Dawn of a New Day), 'Formerly, at Her Call, Our Ancestors...'] 52. Bermuda [Hail to Bermuda] 53. Bermuda [Hail to Bermuda] (Short) 54. Bermuda [God Save the Queen, 'God Save Our Gracious Queen...'] (Royal) 55. Bhutan [Druk Tsendhen (The Thunder Dragon), 'In the Thunder Dragon Kingdom...'] 56. Bhutan [Druk Tsendhen (The Thunder Dragon), 'In the Thunder Dragon Kingdom...'] (2005 Arrangement) 57. Bolivia [Cancion Patriotica (Patriotic Song), 'Bolivians, a Favourable Destiny...'] 58. Bonaire [Tera Di Solo y Suave Biento (Land of the Sun and Soft Breeze), 'Country of Sun and Gentle Breeze...'] 59. Bosnia and Herzegovina [Drzavna Himna Bosne I Hercegovine (The National Nnthem of Bosnia and Herzegovina)] (1999 Onwards) 60. Bosnia and Herzegovina [Drzavna Himna Bosne I Hercegovine (The National Anthem of Bosnia and Herzegovina)] (1999 Onwards) (Olympic Version) 61. Bosnia and Herzegovina [Jedna Si Jedina (You Are One and Only), 'O You Thousand - Years Old Land...'] (1992 - 1999) 62. Botswana ['Blessed Be This Noble Land...'] 63. Brazil [Hino Nacional Brasilerio (National Anthem of Brazil), 'There Was Heard...'] 64. Brazil [Hino Nacional Brasilerio (National Anthem of Brazil), 'There Was Heard...'] (Olympic Version) 65. Brazil [Hino Nacional Brasilerio (National Anthem of Brazil), 'There Was Heard...'] (Short) 66. British Indian Ocean Territory [God Save the Queen, 'God Save Our Gracious Queen...'] 67. British Virgin Islands [God Save the Queen, 'God Save Our Gracious Queen...'] 68. Brunei [Allah Peliharakan Sultan, 'Oh God, Long Live Our Majesty the Sultan'] 69. Bulgaria [Mila Rodino (Dear Homeland), 'Proudly Rise the Balkan Peaks...'] 70. Bulgaria [Mila Rodino (Dear Homeland), 'Proudly Rise the Balkan Peaks...'] (2005 Arrangement) 71. Burkina Faso [Le Ditanye (Anthem of the Victory), 'Against the Humiliating Bondage...'] 72. Burkina Faso [Le Ditanye (Anthem of the Victory), 'Against the Humiliating Bondage...'] (Olympic Version) 73. Burundi ['Beloved Burundi, Gentle Country...'] 74. Burundi ['Beloved Burundi, Gentle Country...'] (Olympic Version) 75. Cambodia [Nokoreach (National Anthem), 'Heaven Protects Our King...'] 76. Cambodia [Nokoreach (National Anthem), 'Heaven Protects Our King...'] (Short) 77. Cameroon [O Cameroun, Berceau de Nos Ancestres (O Cameroon, Cradle of Our Forefathers), 'O Cameroon Cradle of Our Ancestors...'] 78. Canada ['O Canada! Our Home and Native Land!...'] (Long) (Slow) 79. Canada ['O Canada! Our Home and Native Land!...'] (Short) (Fast) 80. Canada ['O Canada! Our Home and Native Land!...'] (2005 Arrangement) 81. Canada [God Save the Queen, 'God Save Our Gracious Queen...'] (Royal) 82. Canary Islands [Himno de Canarias (Anthem of the Canary Islands), 'I Am the Shade of An Almond Tree...'] 83. Cape Verde [Cantico Da Liberdade (Song of Freedom), 'Sing, Brother Sing...'] 84. Cape Verde [Cantico Da Liberdade (Song of Freedom), 'Sing, Brother Sing...'] (Olympic Version) 85. Catalonia [Els Segadors (The Reapers), 'Triumphant Catalonia...'] 86. Cayman Islands [Beloved Isle Cayman, 'O Land of Soft, Fresh Breezes...'] 87. Cayman Islands [Beloved Isle Cayman, 'O Land of Soft, Fresh Breezes...'] (Olympic Version) 88. Cayman Islands [God Save the Queen, 'God Save Our Gracious Queen...'] (Royal) 89. Central African Republic [La Renaissance (The Rebirth), 'Oh! Central Africa...'] 90. Chad [La Tchadienne (The Song of Chad), 'Oh, My Country, May God Protect You...'] 91. Chechen Republic of Ichikeria [Jozalla Ya Marso (Death or Freedom), 'We Were Born at Night When the She - Wolf Whelped...'] 92. Chechnya [The Shatlak's Song, 'No Matter How Unfair the Wildfire of Injustice in Chechnya...'] 93. Chile [Himno Nacional de Chile (National An